Introduction

1.       Paul was a native of the City of Tarsus in the Roman province of Cilicia (presently in southern Turkey).

2.      Saul, as a Pharisee, had been a great persecutor of the Christians (Acts 26:9–11). 

I.    The testimony of the Believers

1.       The background of the Church of Rome

a.       The origin of the church at Rome

b.      How was it founded?

c.       Other Christians also went to Rome to minister to the believers.

 “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ” (Rom 16:3–5).

d.      Probably, the church at Rome was merely a group of believers, meeting in different places throughout the city. 

2.      Why did Paul want to visit them?

a.       Paul had heard of their Christian faith (1:8).

b.      He prays for them.

c.       He expresses his desire to visit them (1:10). 

II.   Paul’s  Motivation

1.       Mutual encouragement (1:11–12).

         He says, “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established” (1:11).

a.       Paul wishes to impart some spiritual gift to the believers.

b.      Paul also knows that the benefit would be mutual.

         He says, “That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (1:12).

2.      A sense of obligation (1:14–15).

         Paul describes his sense of obligation in 1:14 to 15.

         “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise (v.14).  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (v.15).

3.      He was eager to visit the Roman Christians (1:15).

 “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.”

4.      The love of “Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor 5:14).

III.  Paul’s  confidence

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (v.16)

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (v.17)

 1.      Paul’s confidence in the Gospel.

The fifth and the greatest motivation of Paul was his confidence in the Gospel.

         Here is the very heart of Paul’s motivation.

a.       He was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ (1:16a).

         He was not afraid of believing and preaching the Gospel.

         He was not ashamed of sharing and witnessing for Christ.

b.      Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel.

         In fact, he had great confidence in the message of the Gospel.

He gave us several reasons for not being ashamed of the Gospel.

(1)     The origin of the Gospel.

(2)     It is the power of God.

(3)     The righteousness of God.

         Paul says, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith” (1:17). 

Conclusion

Let me summarise the message.

·               First, Paul was motivated by mutual encouragement.

·               Next, He was motivated by a sense of debt.

God had given him so much that he could never repay!

·               He was eager to visit the believers.

·               The love of Christ constrained him.

·               Later, He was motivated by his confidence in the Gospel.

He confidently proclaimed, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (1:16).

·               Christ can change our lives and make them better.

·               It is all a matter of faith.

·               Do you believe?

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